TAMING OF THE SHREW When Shaft meets Foxy Brown 70s theme for Shakespeare
The African-American Shakespeare Company premieres their 2006-07 season with Taming of the Shrew, which runs September 22 - October 22, 2006 at the Buriel Clay Theatre in San Francisco(762 Fulton Street).

/Performing Arts News Articles/ - SAN FRANCISCO, CA, September 05, 2006 - The play centers on the contentious courtship between stylish Petruchio (David Moore) and hellish Katharina (Tonia Usher). Director Victoria Evans-Erville gives the production a retro look as afros, platform shoes and psychedelic-colored suits of the 70's rule and roar with the tunes of Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and many more.

"The 70's was the decade when the typical roles of men and women were being challenged in television and film," said Evans-Erville, adding, "With a Petruchio reminiscent of John Shaft and a Katharina that could give Foxy Brown a run for her money, we see a pair of lovers that are equally matched in wit and personal strength."

Determined to marry "wealthily then happily..." the priviledged impoverished Petruchio ignores a warning from his good friend Hortensio (Steve Crum) that Kate is a "menacing shrew" but he learns first-hand soon enough. From the start, smooth talking Petruchio is met with verbal and physical blows from the quick-witted Katharina in this classic battle of the sexes.

Another storyline of the play focuses on the courtship of Kate's younger sister, "fair and virtuous" Bianca (Nicole Brewer) by several suitors including Gremio and Lucentio (Federico Edwards, Terrence Garner). However, the women's mother, Baptista (Sherri Young), declares that until the volatile Kate has been woo'd and won, Bianca will remain off-limits. Bribery and a slew of identity switches are among the tools used in this classic comedy as the characters attempt to do the seemingly impossible and "tame a shrew."

Press Photos are downloadable
http://www.african-americanshakes.org/TamingofShrew/PressPhotos
Photographer: Marty Sohl
Actors: David Moore (Petruchio) and Tonia Usher (Kate)

Press Release Contact Information:

Sherri Young
African-American Shakespeare
Executive Director
762 Fulton Street
San Francisco, 94102
CA
Voice: (415) 762-2071
Fax: (415) 762-2071
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